Prince Far I

Biography

Michael Williams, c.1944, Spanish Town, Jamaica, d. 15 September 1983. Prince Far I, the voice of thunder, was originally a bouncer at the premises of Coxsone Dodds Studio One, Jamaicas premier record label of the 60s and early 70s. A huge, muscular figure with impressive facial scars, he was known as a gentle giant with hidden depths. One day in 1970 King Stitt, the regular DJ at Studio One, had failed to arrive to voice a track, and Williams, the bouncer, persuaded producer Dodd to allow him to try. Impressed, Dodd named the new artist King Cry-Cry and a legend was born. After a couple of records as Cry-Cry, he renamed himself Prince Far I. A gruff, deep, slow-burning rhymer, his talents at first appeared limited, although Far I was built to last: while other DJs careers fizzled like firecrackers, Far I retained his status throughout his life. When he really let rip, as on his 1976 album Under Heavy Manners, he was awesome. HisPsalms For I...